Huntington Woods keeps event name Run/Walk BOOM!!!

Sixty-three percent of the people who took a survey about changing the name of a Huntington Woods’ fireworks fundraiser told organizers: Let the title Run/Walk BOOM!!! stand – at least for this year.

A committee planning the second annual benefit set for June 29 considered the name change because the word “boom” can be construed as insensitive to the three people killed and 264 injured in the Boston Marathon bombings.

The committee turned to a public poll for more input before spending money to reprint brochures, banners, trophies and get a new website address for its one-mile and 5K events.

In an online survey, most of the 215 respondents equated the possible name change to a “knee-jerk reaction,” “giving in to terrorists” and too politically correct, “like renaming French fries ‘freedom fries.’”

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“It’s clear from the graphics and wording underneath that it is about fireworks,” one person answered.

However, others said the event name and logo is disrespectful and conjures an immediate reminder of the April 15 tragedy where pressure cookers hidden in backpacks exploded and sprayed the crowd at the finish line with rusty nails and BBs.

“I would not want to be associated with this logo whatsoever, nor would I wear the T-shirt,” one person answered.

While another respondent countered: “Since when is boom a four-letter word. That is what fireworks do, so all of you get a life.”

Committee member Alex Cooper said the event name will be kept for this year and then reevaluated.

“I certainly thought we had to change it but after reading all the comments I see a lot of people have a different take,” he said. “No matter what we do some people will be satisfied and some won’t but the level of intensity from the people saying don’t change it was a little stronger.”

Cooper is a resident of Huntington Woods, where only 56 percent of the respondents favor keeping the name compared to 75 percent of survey takers from outside the city.

Many people suggested a moment of silence be observed before the mile event at 8:30 a.m. and the 5K at 9 a.m. and that will happen.

Ed Koslov of Huntington Woods, president of the Motor City Striders, said runners have been taking a moment to remember the lives lost and changed at the Boston Marathon at all the race events he has directed for the last three weekends,

“Usually everyone talks or whispers but what is notable now is that the crowds are very quiet and respectful,” said Koslov, who also is helping organize the Susan G. Komen Race for a Cure on Saturday in Detroit.

Koslov said he has mixed emotions about renaming Walk/Run BOOM!!! because it was selected 1 ½ years ago and to him, “It’s the perfect title” for a fitness event that raises money for a fireworks display.

He is the event’s race course director and with committee members will be talking to attendees June 29 to get more opinions about what they should do for 2014.

“Even in our constant news-changing world, there will be a lot of press on the first anniversary and we don’t want to relive negative memories with our title,” Koslov said.

Last year’s inaugural Run/Walk BOOM!!! event raised more than $9,000. The Huntington Woods Men’s Club paid the balance of the $13,500 fireworks cost.